Albert Pitt
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon Albert Pitt (1842 – 18 November 1906) was a 19th century New Zealand
politician, and a cabinet minister. Pitt was born in Hobart, Tasmania. His father, Captain Pitt, was harbourmaster at Hobart. Pitt was educated in Tasmania. He studied law, started his professional career, and married a Tasmanian lady. In 1864 Pitt migrated to Nelson, starting his own law firm. Shortly afterwards he entered into partnership with Henry Adams, trading as Adams and Pitt. His appeared as advocate for Levy in the Maungatapu murders
case in 1866. When the partnership with Adams ended he went into partnership with Edward Moore, the firm being called Pitt and Moore.
In 1881 Pitt commanded about 1200 volunteers on active service at Parihaka
under Lieut-Colonel Roberts expedition to arrest Te Whiti, Tohu, and Hiroki. In 1885 Pitt was appointed a Lientenant-Colonel of the New Zealand Militia. When the volunteer districts were consolidated in 1895 Pitt was appointed to the command of the Nelson district. The volunteer district included Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland. Pitt was awarded the New Zealand long-service medal and the Imperial volunteer officer's decoration. In 1897 commanded a contingent of volunteers from New Zealand that went to England for the celebrations of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Pitt resigned his command on being called to the Legislative Council in 1899.
He stood for the house of Representatives in 1878 but was defeated by Acton Adams.
Pitt represented the City of Nelson
electorate from 1879 to 1881, when he retired.
He became a member of the Legislative Council in 1899 and in June 1903 a member of the Seddon Governmant, as Attorney-General. He was the Attorney-General
from 1903 until his death at 5pm on 18 November 1906. Pitt had been appointed Minister in charge of the Christchurch Exhibition, but had became ill before it opened. He still proceeded to Christchurch where his health deteriorated, necessitating an operation on 13 November. Though reasonably successful Pitt health did not improve and he died on the Saturday.
He was survived by his son and two daughters, his wife having died some years earlier.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
politician, and a cabinet minister. Pitt was born in Hobart, Tasmania. His father, Captain Pitt, was harbourmaster at Hobart. Pitt was educated in Tasmania. He studied law, started his professional career, and married a Tasmanian lady. In 1864 Pitt migrated to Nelson, starting his own law firm. Shortly afterwards he entered into partnership with Henry Adams, trading as Adams and Pitt. His appeared as advocate for Levy in the Maungatapu murders
Maungatapu murders
The Maungatapu murders were the events surrounding the murders of five people on the Maungatapu track in two separate attacks, near Nelson, New Zealand which occurred on 12 and 13 June 1866...
case in 1866. When the partnership with Adams ended he went into partnership with Edward Moore, the firm being called Pitt and Moore.
Military Service
In 1861 he joined the Tasmanian voluntary artillery corps. When he migrated to New Zealand he was appointed to command the Nelson Artillery Cadets. He then commanded the Nelson Volunteer Artillery Company until 1871. In 1873 he became captain of H Battery of the New Zealand Royal Artillary and in 1877 he was appointed commanded of the Nelson militia and volunteer district until 1879.In 1881 Pitt commanded about 1200 volunteers on active service at Parihaka
Parihaka
Parihaka is a small community in Taranaki Region, New Zealand, located between Mount Taranaki and the Tasman Sea. In the 1870s and 1880s the settlement, then reputed to be the largest Māori village in New Zealand, became the centre of a major campaign of non-violent resistance to European...
under Lieut-Colonel Roberts expedition to arrest Te Whiti, Tohu, and Hiroki. In 1885 Pitt was appointed a Lientenant-Colonel of the New Zealand Militia. When the volunteer districts were consolidated in 1895 Pitt was appointed to the command of the Nelson district. The volunteer district included Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland. Pitt was awarded the New Zealand long-service medal and the Imperial volunteer officer's decoration. In 1897 commanded a contingent of volunteers from New Zealand that went to England for the celebrations of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Pitt resigned his command on being called to the Legislative Council in 1899.
Public Service
Pitt was also a member of the Nelson Diocesan Synod and a member of the Nelson College Board of Governors for many years. In his younger days in Nelson Pitt was involved in theatre and amateur opera.Political Service
In about 1866 Pitt was elected to the Nelson Provincial Council and was appointed Provincial Solicitor.He stood for the house of Representatives in 1878 but was defeated by Acton Adams.
Pitt represented the City of Nelson
Nelson (New Zealand electorate)
Nelson is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. From 1853 to 1860, the electorate was called Town of Nelson. From 1860 to 1881, it was City of Nelson...
electorate from 1879 to 1881, when he retired.
He became a member of the Legislative Council in 1899 and in June 1903 a member of the Seddon Governmant, as Attorney-General. He was the Attorney-General
Attorney-General (New Zealand)
The Attorney-General is a political office in New Zealand. It is simultaneously a ministerial position and an administrative office, and has responsibility for supervising New Zealand law and advising the government on legal matters...
from 1903 until his death at 5pm on 18 November 1906. Pitt had been appointed Minister in charge of the Christchurch Exhibition, but had became ill before it opened. He still proceeded to Christchurch where his health deteriorated, necessitating an operation on 13 November. Though reasonably successful Pitt health did not improve and he died on the Saturday.
He was survived by his son and two daughters, his wife having died some years earlier.